JD Sauer PhD (email)

B.S., Biology- Cornell University 2002

Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology (Dr. Michele Swanson) - University of Michigan 2006

ACS Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular and Cell Biology (Dr. Daniel Portnoy) - University of California, Berkeley 2011

Alyssa Brokaw (email)

B.S. Microbiology - University of Minnesota, 2015

Ph.D. Pathobiology (Dr. Lakshmi Rajagopal) - University of Washington, 2024

Project: Drawing on my experience studying pregnancy-associated infections caused by Group B Streptococcus, I aim to identify novel Listeria monocytogenes genes associated with hypervirulent clinical isolates linked to listeriosis during pregnancy. I also hope to exploit Listeria's genetic tractability to further our understanding of how bacterial infections and host inflammation pathways influence pregnancy outcomes and fetal prognosis. Outside of lab, you can find me walking my sweet dog Juniper, testing new recipes, and expanding my collection of fun earrings.

Kevin Parducho (email)

B.S. Microbiology - California State University at Los Angeles, 2016

Ph.D. Cell Biology - Yale University, 2024

Project: Using my background in eukaryotic trafficking pathways, I am investigating mechanisms within phagocytes that govern bacterially-induced production of prostaglandin E2, a critical signaling molecule for the induction of CD8+ T-cell dependent protective immunity. In addition, I am developing a CRISPRi system in L. monocytogenes while unsuccessfully resisting the urge to mention dancing Argentine tango to everyone that I meet. 

Matt Freeman (email)

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)/Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)

BS, Biochemistry - University of  Minnesota, 2018

Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2025

• Continuing as a Post-doctoral Researcher in the Sauer Lab for my final year while I complete my M.D.

Project: Our lab primarily studies host-pathogen interactions using the model organism Listeria monocytogenes. I approached understanding this problem through the lens of shared host-pathogen metabolism. During my work I identified the systems L. monocytogenes is primarily using to acquire carbon from the host and characterized mechanisms of defective virulence for a metabolically perturbed strain. I am experienced in bacterial genetics, genetic screens, molecular biology, metabolomics, tissue culture, animal work, and bioinformatics. In my free time I enjoy camping, backpacking, skiing, and cooking. 

Chris Lee (email)

Cell and Molecular Pathology (CMP)

B.S. Biology and BA English - University of California Los Angeles, 2018

Project: 

Delanie Arend (email) 

B.S., Zoology/Animal Biology - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2023

Project: 

Noah Eral  (email)

Mentor: Matt Freeman

Project: I conducted research in a microbial pathogenesis lab under the supervision of my MD/PhD student mentor. I took on my own project, which focused on the virulence defects of a metabolic mutant in Listeria monocytogenes. I significantly contributed in establishing that pyruvate dehydrogenase complex mutants show an accumulation of pyruvate in Listeria monocytogenes. Further, we determined that this metabolic imbalance directly inhibits phosphotransferase systems and virulence in the host. I learned many new techniques during this project including: bacterial and eukaryotic cell culture, genetic cloning, PCR, metabolomics, modeling infection in cells and mice, and others. 

Mara Allen  (email)

Project: 

Allia Taamallah  (email)

Project: 

Kijeong Lee

BS, Microbiology - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2022

Currently: Rotating PhD student, Harvard University

John Thorstenson

BS, Biochemistry - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2021

Currently: PhD student in the Horswill Lab, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus

Tighe Christopher

BS, Biochemistry and Microbiology - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2019

Currently: PhD student in the Tait Wojno Lab,  University of Washington

Zach Powers 

BS, Microbiology - University of Wisconsin - Madison 2019

Currently: PhD student in the O'Riordan Lab, University of Michigan Medical School